Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Hermione's Cable & Eyelet Hat

Here is my interpretation of Hermione's hat in the upcoming Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:

I think I've come very close, but would like to make a couple of mentions before I introduce the pattern. First, I apparently can't count past 3, so my sample has a couple of errors. The pattern is, I hope, correct. Next, the hat, as pictured, does fit me, but not very well. I will make notations in the pattern of how I plan to make my next hat that will hopefully fit me better. Mostly I think I will just add another cable twist and set of eyelets so that there are 4 instead of 3. The fit issue seemed to be more of a length thing than a width thing.

I should add that despite the hat not quite fitting me right, I do have a large noggin. lol. According to CYC sizing standards, a woman's hat should fit a woman with a 20" head. I have a 22" head. My oldest has a 19.5" head (she's in the last 2 pics on my blog), and my youngest (shown above) has an 18.5" head.

If you want to make the hat larger around, you'll need to do one of two things. You can add 22 stitches to the cast on, giving you 12 cables around the hat instead of 10. Or...you can only add 12 stitches, then decrease by 1 stitch once the 1x1 ribbing is done. (Adding 11 will give you an odd cast-on number and screw up the ribbing.)

Materials:

1 Skein Patons Classic Merino in the colorway Grey Mix (I used probably a little over half a skein, but people on Ravelry are reporting that they've used closer to a full skein)
Size US5 (3.75mm) 16" circular needles
Size US5 (3.75mm) double-pointed needles

Row 4.5: Errata: add a row of [K6, K2tog] aroundRow 5: K6, K2tog [K5, K2tog] around (note: you will include the first knit stitch of the next row in your final K2tog. From here on out, the final K2tog will end with the first stitch of the next row. (If this doesn't make sense, please leave me a note in the comments and I will elaborate.)
Row 6: K5, K2tog [K4, K2tog] around
Row 7: K4, K2tog [K3, K2tog] around
Row 8: K3, K2tog [K2, K2tog] around
Row 9: K2, K2tog [K1, K2tog] around
Row 10: K2tog around
Row 11: K2tog around

Cut yarn and pull through remaining 5 stitches.

Tuck in ends.

Wear!

Edited 7/17/09: After seeing the movie, it appears that the crown in the movie version was sewn. Instead of decreasing, continue the pattern in a tube until it is too long for the head. Then turn it inside out and sew in a curve to fit the head. Be sure to sew a few seams or serge the seam to be sure your work doesn't unravel. Then trim and turn right side out.

Edited 8/11/09: After a second viewing of the movie, I'm in agreement that the hat is more squared, though I don't think it's an actual straight seam. It appears to be shaped more like the cosymakes hat HERE. The difference being Hermione's hat has an actual seam, whereas the cosymakes version is seamless along the sides, using decreases instead. To do this, I have a couple thoughts, but haven't tried either. First, you could stop working in the round halfway up and go back and forth using decreases on the sides to create the hexagon type top, then seam the two parts together. The other, you could create a simple tube in pattern, seam the top, then pull the corners in and seam those. I currently do NOT plan to alter my pattern using either of these methods. Please feel free to leave a link in the comments if you attempt a different crown.

113 comments:

Beautiful pattern. I would definitely be interested in help making it longer. I also have a 22" head and I find it interesting because I was searching for hat sizing and it said that 55cm (almost 22") is average for a woman. I always thought I had a small head so I wonder where CYC gets their sizing. My boyfriend has a bigger head than me and I know my dad and my uncles do too. Weird. Anyway, great work, I'm really excited for this pattern. Thanks.

Hi,I've casted on and can't get it to work. Isn't it a K6,P6 instead of K6,P5? Doesn't the row 20 K6, P1, YO, P2tog, P3 leave you with six stitches to purl on the row 21? I'm new to lace (but not to cables) so maybe I'm missing something obvious. Thanks! I'll work at it and let you know how it comes out.Katherine

Just finished and I am very pleased with the result. I used Malabrigo Worsted in Orchid and 4.5mm. I didn't bother with gauge (blush) so it is a bit on te big side (especially lengthwise) but I turned up the bottom and it is so cosy and really pretty. I did however have some problems with the decrease rounds.After R4 I had 80 stitches so when I did K6, K2tog [K5, K2tog]around I had 2 stitches eft after the final K2tog.

Thank you so much for posting this! I just finished my hat, but I used thinner needles so I had to adapt the pattern a bit. A picture here: http://astrid82.livejournal.com/3123.html#cutid1 if you want to have a look!

Now I'm off to order your Rosalie gloves pattern, I need some gloves to go with my hat :-)

Just wanted to add my thanks for this pattern and for making it available to all. I just finished mine and I love it so much, I think I'll have to make another one for myself after I give this one way away for Christmas.

Hi Jackie, thank you for working out the directions to this hat! I have made it twice and currently have the second one on my head, ready to do the decreases. Looking at other people's projects on Ravelry, I think if you add a K6, K2tog row between decrease rows 4 and 5, it will work out. I was having trouble getting row 5 to work out evenly. I'm going to add the row in between and I bet it will work out per your instructions. Thank you again! Love the hat! AnnDS

I just added a link to the pattern, but a video of the alternate cable cast-on can be found here: http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/cast-on Feel free to use any cast-on method you like. I just happen to love this method for 1x1 ribbing! It's a bit of a pain in the tush to execute, but the results are well worth it.

To anyone that is a little new to reading patterns (or like me, just missed it), this is worked in the ROUND. I worked it in rows on circ. needles and feel like a moron, but I can't be the only clueless person on the planet, so I thought I'd share. :)

Great pattern! :) I'm going to try it again now that I have learned to read. (sigh)

I don't do any knitwear designing (or any other designing, for that matter), but I was wondering, since you said the fit issue was length not width, doesn't that mean you just need to knit longer before beginning your decreases?

This is a great pattern and I'm loving it so far. Only problem, I'm stuck! And a bit confused. :) Row 5 in the decrease rounds has me stumped. I had the same problem as maylin with 2 stitches left at the end of the round. I tried to use her method, but that doesn't work either. Any suggestions?

Anonymous-did you add the extra Row 4.5 line shown in red as errata? After Row 4 you should have 80 as maylin did, but after Row 4.5 you should be left with 70 stitches. If this doesn't solve your problem, please email me at jlyarnworks[at]gmail[dot]com and we'll get it figured out! Thanks so much!

Anonymous-did you add the extra Row 4.5 line shown in red as errata? After Row 4 you should have 80 as maylin did, but after Row 4.5 you should be left with 70 stitches. If this doesn't solve your problem, please email me at jlyarnworks[at]gmail[dot]com and we'll get it figured out! Thanks so much!

i've made this pattern once, and i'm currently in the process of doing it again. i'm using Manos Del Uruguay Cotton Stria and US size 4 needles (inexplicabley, it comes out larger, which is what i wanted, but makes no sense). Thanks for designing something that i want to make badly enough to force me to learn that fiddley cast on. :)

My eagle-eyed HP fan daughter just noticed that Hermione's hat seems to have a twisted rib *(K1tbl, p1)*. Other than that, you are surely spot-on! Love the hat sooooo much... my Christmas knitting list may be complete for several people now. Thanks for going through all this hard work so the rest of us don't have to.

That is so funny. I have this weird thing where when I see knitted things in movies I want to make them. Then i saw this and knew I wanted to make it, but then I was like ... "You know what? Google it. I can't be the only one who's thought of making that..."

Kathy,You'll need to decrease by 1 stitch when you're done with the ribbing anywhere in that first pattern row. You'll also end up with an extra stitch at some point in the K2tog rows of the very tippity top, so just don't let that throw you. Otherwise, I think you should be fine!

I do mean trimming off the knitted portion. Please note that I have never done this myself, but I know it can be done. The extra knitted fabric would likely be too bulky to leave. Look up steeking for more information on how to safely cut knitted fabric.

Thank you SO MUCH for this pattern, I instantly fell in love with the hat when I saw the movie last week so your pattern saved me the time trying to figure it out myself, like it has for many other readers of your blog ;)Thanks again, I'm looking forward to casting on the stitches :)

When you're decreasing, such as here:Row 5: K6, K2tog [K5, K2tog] around (note: you will include the first knit stitch of the next row in your final K2tog. From here on out, the final K2tog will end with the first stitch of the next row. (If this doesn't make sense, please leave me a note in the comments and I will elaborate.)Do you mean I should first K6, K2tg and then for the rest of the round K5, K2tog? Thanks!

Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Only repeat the part inside the [] for the remainder of the row. You'll be one stitch short for the final k2tog, so snag the first stitch of the next row to complete the final k2tog.

Novice--no, do not count the cast-on row. However, you can make the k1,p1 ribbing as tall or short as you like. I specified rows to give you (what I felt) what was most similar to the hat Hermione wore in the movie. As long as the hat is tall enough before you begin your decreases, you'll be just fine. :)

Greetings from Jackson Hole WyomingI recently completed Hermione's hat. I use Mushishi. I used a #5to do the ribbing and changed to a#7 to do the main body of the hat.I am not a swatcher, so I was taking a chance. I went through 3repeats and then put it on my head. I figured I'd have to do the4th repeat for the adult size, but wanted to try it on. Using the #7 made it fit me very nicely and I only needed to do the 3 repeats before the decrease repeats. It is a great pattern and I very much enjoyed doing it. I had no difficulty in reading the pattern. I plan to do a couple of plain color ones. Right now I am going to do a simple ribbed neck warmer to go with it. I'd like to do it in a solid. Our weather here in Jackson has taken a turn for the cold. It was 5 degrees above zero this morning. I think I finished this hat just in time. The one thing I did, was I made the ribbing band longer. I did a two inch band, and it was perfect.Thanks ever so much for the design.Nancy T.

I just finished the hat and love it! I have a 21" head and only needed to do 1 extra repeat instead of the 2 it called for on the adult size. I used a size five needle to complete both the ribbing and the body of the hat. This worked great for me! Thanks for the pattern.

You have so many nice comments here already but I wanted to add my own. Thank you so much for sharing this pattern, I really wanted to knit my 2yo a pretty cable hat and I came across yours. I made one for her using 3.25mm and 4 ply baby wool and its just gorgeous. I am now making about 6 more to give to other relatives.

Thank you so much for the pattern! It's really beautiful.. I have translated the pattern to Norwegian, and wondered if I can publish it in my blog, with a link for your website. I have knitted 3 of them now, and think the pattern is fantastic!

Hi, I love the pattern. I never worked on lace before so i will give it a try. I have a question. I'm from the Netherlands, and before i begin i want to translate the pattern. There is one thing i can't figure out. What is YO?

I absolutely LOVE this hat! You've done an amazing job figuring it all out and knitting it! I wish I knew how to knit so badly right now....unless someone would like to do me a huuuuge favor? ;) Is it difficult to learn? Like I said, great job, and thanks for doing this for all of us Hermione fans!

I am a very novice knitter (i.e. this is my first project other than a dishcloth), and I seem to have screwed it up. The top doesn't look anything like yours. In fact, it just looks like flat knitting. When I was decreasing, I moved my marker to the other side of the stitch that i picked up from the beginning of the next row to complete the k2tog. Is this where I went wrong? Since i had one less stitch at the end of each row than the pattern called for, I'm thinking it is. Help please?

Hey... This hat looks really awesome!!! I am pumped to start it! Just wondering but I know that it says to use circular knitting needles but I only have regular ones... is it still possible for me to use this pattern?

hi!!thanks!!! a lot for posting this; my daughter is a great fan of harry potter, and wanted the hatI had never knitted before, and this afternoon will finish it; had to make some changes because the yarn we choose is thickI'm trying to figure out how to close it with the head shape, but will find out somehow.. may be my mother can help mewill post a pic soonxoxo

Love your hat and scarf pattern! I'm casting on now so that I have a chance to get them done by winter. You have a great Etsy store. Noticed you live in S. Dakota. My grandma lives in Wessington Springs!

can I follow the pattern as much when you use circular metric size 4? cause I don't have others haha. although my length is 80 cm, i can still use it right?, just pull a bit on the string while working on it, or will this have influence on the hat?

and I'm not sure about how much yarn I would need. i have a 22"head and the balls I usually buy are 83 meters long, but i think it may be a bit short, while ravelry said you'll need 91-137.. please help (: so when I'll finish my scarf I can get working on this (:

Just made this hat! I've never done cables before, so fun. I'll be posting a pic on my blog in just a sec. I followed the pattern except added 22 to make it wider and I did not do the cable repeat for a woman's hat, I only added one extra row of K6, P5 before decreasing. Fits great! I used an alpaca yarn (forget the name but it was unfamiliar to me) and size 5 needles.

Anonymous, yes, it's a new row on all its own. I originally mistakenly skipped this row and had to go back later and add it in. To avoid confusion for those who had already printed the pattern, I called this additional row "4.5" when in reality, it's row 5.

This is just a cabling row. You'll want a cable needle to execute this.

First, you slip 3 stitches onto the cable needle and let it hang to the front. Then you knit the next 3 stitches in the round. Then you knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle. This creates your first cable. Next, you purl 5 stitches.

Then repeat the cable and purling all the way around.

If you need more help with the cables, here's a video that might help. She starts the cable around minute 2:00. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMadjYy1-ng

I have size 8 dpn adn circular needles and maybe size 6 or 7 dpn, too (I don't know which). I also have Lion Brand Bulky 5 yarn. I don't have a cable needle but I think it is possible to substitute a dpn instead. Will I be able to make this hat?

Cathy, sorry for the slow response. I was busy with the holidays. :) Just like any other knitting pattern, it is possible to substitute yarn and change needle sizes, but will require some math to figure out the new stitch count -- both how many to cast on and how many repeats of the pattern to do. It will change the look though. Here's an example I found of someone who used a bulky yarn and larger needles: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/jesshagman/hermiones-cable--eyelet-hat-3 Hope that helps!

This looks like the perfect project. I've got a pen pal in the UK who's a huge Harry Potter fan and is currently going through chemo for breast cancer. She's lost her hair. I'm making her chemo caps. This will be #7. Thanks for posting.

Hi there! Way back in 2008 there was a comment that asked about changing the K6,P5 to a K6,P6. You agreed and said it would be changed. Looking through the pattern I noticed its the same and just wanted to double check which is correct before I get started. It's a beautiful pattern I can't wait to cast on!

Thank you for sharing this beautiful pattern and offering it for free. I can't wait to get this made for my ski trip!

However, I am having a hard time obtaining the right gauge. Using size US 3 (3.25) needles on 10-ply Aran weight yarn, I'm still getting 6 stitches/inch. Before adjusting my gauge and calculate the cast-on stitches, I just wanted to confirm that your gauge is indeed 7 st/in with US5 (3.75) on 10-ply yarn in stockinette (not rib?) . I know I'm a loose knitter, but also recognized that the specified gauge usually is obtained with size 1-3 needles and fingering weight yarn. Please help!

TheYogi, the gauge listed IS correct. However, it's not using aran weight yarn, it's using worsted weight. It's intentionally knit on small needles with a tight gauge to best mimick the machine knit version from the movie. Hope that helps!

Anonymous, ideally you'll measure the head of the 3yo grand-daughter, check your gauge, and fiddle with the yarn and needle choices until the math works out. That said, the first picture listed was my daughter when she was 3. Actually, she was probably 2 and a half. :) As for not knitting it in the round, it could certainly be knit flat with some modification, but I recommend you try it in the round if you're just nervous about circular needles. It'll be so much easier!

Thank you from ann. Re granddaughterMe again asking for tips. What if i tied some coloured thread, on one side.So for exsmple the work is always on the outside re the colourecd thread, i am an experieancedKnitter, but some how i end up twisting, circularNeedles i think i even go backwards. Thank you so much for pattern and helpDenese from aust. Tasmania

I knit this pattern in size 10.5 needles with Plymouth Yarn's Baby Alpaca Brush. I had to cut the ribbing down to about .75 in. to account for the length, and I did not repeat rows 28 - 40 a second time (I made it for my 6 yr. old niece). The rest of the pattern knit up nicely! Super easy, great pattern!

Just made this hat using 3.5 mm needles and Katia Merino 100%. I thought the recipient's head was as big as mine but it turned out not to be. I'd cast on 132 stitches, but then I got the recipient's head measurement and saw it was going to be too baggy, so in row 40 I decreased one stitch inside each C3F (slip 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold in front of work, K2tog, K3, knit stitches on cable needle, P5]. The last row of cabling was done crossing 3 stitches over 2. Discovered that this made the cable lie flatter, a nice effect.Am now making another hat for someone with the same size head, so I just cast on 120 stitches. Each cable section will be only 5 stitches wide from the start and I'll cross 3 stitches over 2.Thanks for the great pattern!

I'm a little late to the game, but I've had my eye on this hat ever since the movie came out. I tried your pattern and love it!! Thanks so much for making it available- it worked out perfectly. I used Rockin' the Wool (heavy worsted/light bulky) and the stitches are crisp and well defined.

Hi there, I'm fairly new to knitting, but I've made a cable hat before, and then I came across your version, and my 17yo daughter wants me to make it for her. She has a fairly small head and fits my hat which is 56cm around. I cast on 100 stitches to make this hat. My question is, if I only cast on 100 stitches, and not the 110 you recommend, will it stuff the rest of the pattern up? Thanks for any help :-)

Not sure if Original Jones has made the hat in a smaller size - I have a small head as well and always have to adjust hat patterns. Here are a few things that work for me: 1) do the ribbing using a smaller needle; 2) look at the repeat of the pattern - in this case it is 11; so when you reduce, calculate what the cast on needs to be. In this case you would cast on 99 to get 9 repeats vs the 10 repeats with 110. Length poses a problem for me - so I often begin my decreases a few rows early.